The Albula Pass and its History

The Albula Pass (Canton of Grisons) has been an important trade route and strategic pass since the Confederation conquered the Italian territories in the Veltlin region around 1500. , transported wine from Italy and salt, grains and rice from Tyrol with donkeys, horses and mules. To the south, they sold cattle, dairy products, ores and … Read more » “The Albula Pass and its History”

La douce Suisse

A walk between Auvernier and Bevaix (canton of Neuchâtel) on the banks of the lake leads to vineyards, magnificent manors, little beaches and hills. The medieval abbey of Bevaix stands high on a hill, converted into a farm in the 16th century, after the reformation around 1530. The Jura The vineyards are lined with rose … Read more » “La douce Suisse”

Kandersteg, Oeschinensee and Blausee

The eagle in the municipal coat of arms of Kandersteg (Canton of Bern) in the Kander Valley serves as a reminder of the freedom rights once granted by the Holy Roman Emperor. The footbridge (steg) over the Kander (Kandersteg) points to the importance of the connection to the Valais. It is also a symbol of … Read more » “Kandersteg, Oeschinensee and Blausee”

Swiss National Park

The Swiss National Park encompasses an impressive Alpine landscape with many flora and fauna. Extending over 170 km2, the Swiss National Park is the largest protected area in Switzerland and the country’s only National Park. Founded in 1914, it is the oldest national park in the Alps and central Europe. The park is well known … Read more » “Swiss National Park”

The Zuckerbäcker from Graubünden

The canton of Graubünden is the only trilingual canton in Switzerland. German is the spoken language of most inhabitants. Romansh has been increasingly replaced by German over the centuries. Italian is mainly spoken in four valleys of the canton: Val Poschavio (das Puschlav), Bergaglia (das Bergell), Val Mesolcina (das Misox), and Val Calanca (das Calancatal). … Read more » “The Zuckerbäcker from Graubünden”

Helvetia, the Rhine and Basel

The Rhine flows out of Switzerland at Basel. It continues its journey to the North Sea as a (border) river through Germany, France and the Netherlands. At Spijk and Millingen, it enters the Netherlands and is called the Waal. The Waal splits into several rivers, forming the famous Dutch river landscape. De Waal and Spiegelwaal … Read more » “Helvetia, the Rhine and Basel”

The lakes, mountain lakes and reservoirs of Switzerland

Switzerland has hundreds of lakes, ranging from larger to smaller, as well as mountain lakes and reservoirs. The mountain lakes are often of breathtaking beauty, embedded in alpine meadows or steep mountain landscapes, with shimmering green, blue, or black water, hidden amidst spruce forests or situated on mountain slopes. Lac Morat/Murtensee The Lungerersee It is … Read more » “The lakes, mountain lakes and reservoirs of Switzerland”

The Arboretum de Vallon et Aubonne

An arboretum is a natural area dedicated to preserving, educating, caring for, and observing the forest and its trees and shrubs in all their diversity. It is also used for research and has the same recreational function as a forest. It is like a botanical garden in its natural setting. The Arboretum of Vallon near … Read more » “The Arboretum de Vallon et Aubonne”

The Oudolf Garden and the Tsuyoshi Tane Garden House of the Vitra Campus

The Vitra Campus in Weil am Rhein (Germany) near Basel is a complex of contemporary architecture that combines the Swiss furniture manufacturer Vitra’s cultural, commercial, production, research and design facilities in one location. Since its opening in 1989, the site has been transformed by the addition of buildings by world-renowned architects into one of the … Read more » “The Oudolf Garden and the Tsuyoshi Tane Garden House of the Vitra Campus”

The Hebel Hiking Trail

The Hebel hiking trail (Hebel-Wanderweg) is about 60 km long and runs between Basel and the spring on the Feldberg (Baden-Württemberg). The trail is based on Hebel’s Alemannic poem “Die Wiese” and runs from the spring to the Schifflände in Basel. Numerous information boards provide information about Hebel and his work. Johann Peter Hebel (1760-1826) … Read more » “The Hebel Hiking Trail”